There are many examples of hoaxes throughout history. These range from basic, almost funny attempts of deception, to others that are indeed quite elaborate. But things can get even more interesting when we add religion into the mix; more specifically, Christianity. Over centuries, there have been numerous Christian hoaxes, and in this gallery we bring you some of the most impactful.Click through and get to know the biggest Christian hoaxes of all time.You may also like: Photos that people still can’t explain
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Cardiff Giant
In 1869, farm workers digging a well in Cardiff, New York, uncovered what appeared to be a fossilized man. The man was nearly 10 feet (3 meters) tall. Some believed this was proof of the giants mentioned in the Bible.Follow us and access great exclusive content everyday
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Cardiff Giant
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‘The Unknown Life of Jesus Christ’
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‘The Unknown Life of Jesus Christ’
Notovich’s writings were supposedly based on a Tibetan manuscript he came across at the Hemis Monastery in India. But modern scholars say Notovich’s account of Jesus‘ travels to India are a hoax.You may also like: The 30 busiest airports in the world
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‘The Lost Chapter of the Acts of the Apostles’
‘The Lost Chapter of the Acts of the Apostles,’ also known as the ‘Sonnini Manuscript,’ was a text first published in London in 1871. It was supposedly a translation of a Greek manuscript of the end of the Book of Acts.Follow us and access great exclusive content everyday
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‘The Lost Chapter of the Acts of the Apostles’
The manuscript was supposed to be the 29th chapter of the Acts of the Apostles, and detailed Paul the Apostle’s journey to Britain. But no trace of the original manuscript was ever found. The lack of evidence has led scholars to consider it a hoax.You may also like: Celebrities who have been in cults
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Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite
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Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite
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‘Prophecy of the Popes’
The ‘Prophecy of the Popes’ consists of 112 cryptic phrases in Latin that supposedly predicted Catholic popes, from Celestine II (1143–1144) onwards. The prophecy is attributed to 12th-century Irish archbishop Saint Malachy.Follow us and access great exclusive content everyday
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‘Prophecy of the Popes’
The ‘Prophecy of the Popes’ was first published in 1595 by Benedictine monk Arnold Wion. But despite its prophetic claims dating back centuries, it’s believed to have been written shortly before it was published.You may also like: Celebrities you didn’t know have LGBTQ parents
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Priory of Sion
The Priory of Sion was a fraternal organization founded in France in 1956. It was based on a supposedly secret society founded in 1099 by the Frenchman Godfrey on Bouillon (leader of the First Crusade, who became ruler of Jerusalem).Follow us and access great exclusive content everyday
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Priory of Sion
Priory of Sion was rooted in the notion of a Jesus bloodline, which was later popularized in books such as Dan Brown’s ‘The Da Vinci Code.’ Despite the numerous conspiracy theories, the whole thing has been considered a hoax.You may also like: A guide to staying fit and healthy in middle age
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‘Oahspe: A New Bible’
‘Oahspe: A New Bible’ was written in 1882 by American dentist and spiritualist John Ballou Newbrough. The book was supposedly written by automatic writing (i.e. he was spiritually guided to write the words). However, it contains multiple factual errors and unfulfilled prophecies.Follow us and access great exclusive content everyday
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‘Oahspe: A New Bible’
The title page reads: “A New Bible in the Words of Jehovih and His Angel Ambassadors. A Sacred History of the Dominions of the Higher and Lower Heavens on the Earth for the Past Twenty-Four Thousand Years together with a Synopsis of the Cosmogony of the Universe; the Creation of Planets; the Creation of Man; the Unseen Worlds; the Labor and Glory of Gods and Goddesses in the Etherean Heavens; with the New Commandments of Jehovih to Man of the Present Day.”You may also like: The hidden secrets in famous works of art
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‘Monita Secreta’
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‘Monita Secreta’
The instructions supposedly came from Claudio Acquaviva, the fifth Superior General of the Society of Jesus. But scholars attribute it to Polish friar Jerome Zahorowsk, who was expelled from the order before he wrote it in 1615. It’s essentially anti-Jesuit propaganda.You may also like: Hearts of gold: the most generous and charitable celebs
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Maria Monk
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Letter of Benan
This alleged translation from a fifth-century Coptic papyrus was issued by Ernst Edler von der Planitz in 1910. But evidence of the original works were never found.You may also like: The most well-traveled countries in the world
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Holy Fire
The fire supposedly comes from a blue light that’s emitted from Jesus’ tomb. It then turns into fire and lights up the candles held by clergy and pilgrims. Many theories have been put forward, including the use of white phosphorus, which has self-ignition properties.You may also like: Celebrities reveal their phobias and greatest fears
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Letter of Lentulus
This epistle was supposedly written by governor of Judea Publius Lentulus centuries before its publication, in the 15th century. The letter contains a physical description of Jesus Christ. This description likely influenced how Jesus was depicted in art.Follow us and access great exclusive content everyday
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Letter of Lentulus
Part of it reads: “He is a man of medium size […] His hair is of the color of the ripe hazel-nut, straight down to the ears, but below the ears wavy and curled, with a bluish and bright reflection, flowing over his shoulders. It is parted in two on the top of the head, after the pattern of the Nazarenes. His brow is smooth and very cheerful with a face without wrinkle or spot, embellished by a slightly reddish complexion. His nose and mouth are faultless. His beard is abundant, of the color of his hair, not long, but divided at the chin.”You may also like: 49 of the most extravagant celebrity purchases
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Gospel of Josephus
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Book of Jasher
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‘The Aquarian Gospel of Jesus the Christ’
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James Ossuary
In 2002, an antiquities dealer in Israel claimed to have found an ossuary (empty) that belonged to James, the brother of Jesus. The box had an inscription in Aramaic that read: “James, Son of Joseph, Brother of Jesus.”You may also like: No smoking: British celebs who quit cigarettes
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James Ossuary
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Noah’s Ark hoax
In 1993, a man named George Jammal claimed to have found Noah’s Ark in Turkey. There was even a TV special about it called ‘The Incredible Discovery of Noah’s Ark.’ It was all a hoax.You may also like: Food facts that airlines don’t want you to know
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Noah’s Ark hoax
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